Lilith · Chapter
XLVI: The City explained
Lona and Vane, accompanied by the Little Ones, approach a magnificent city on a solitary mountain.
What happens
Lona and Vane, accompanied by the Little Ones, approach a magnificent city on a solitary mountain. They witness dazzling flashes of lightning that reveal angelic faces, creatures, and visions of loved ones. A sweet rain falls as they ascend to the city gate, where a portress greets them. The Little Ones storm into the city and are carried away by woman-angels. Vane and Lona are welcomed by a great angel, then climb a rocky ascent alone. Vane passes through a cloud and a door, finding himself back in his library.
Themes in this chapter
Nature and the Divine
The city and its surroundings are infused with divine presence; lightning reveals angelic faces and creatures; the river of life flows from the throne of the Ancient of Days.
Innocence and Growth
The Little Ones, in their innocence, storm heaven itself; their joyful, fearless approach contrasts with the solemnity of the angels.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Vane
Narrates the journey; climbs the mountain and enters the city; ultimately returns to his library.
- Lona
Travels with Vane; sees and hears the lightning with the children; climbs the rocks with Vane.
- The Little Ones
Climb trees to spot the city; lead the way; rush into the city and are carried off by angels.
- Luva
Speaks in a childish voice, repeating what she heard in the lightning: ' ’Ou’s all mine’s, ’ickle ones: come along!'
Key passages
“The river grew lovelier and lovelier, until I knew that never before had I seen real water. Nothing in this world is more than like it.”
The river became so beautiful that Vane realized he had never seen true water before; earthly water is only an imitation.
Highlights the transcendent nature of the otherworldly landscape.
“The great quivering light was compact of angel-faces. They lamped themselves visible, and vanished.”
The lightning was made of countless angelic faces that appeared briefly and then disappeared.
Describes the visionary quality of the lightning.
“I know not whence came the stones that fashioned it, but among them I saw the prototypes of all the gems I had loved on earth—far more beautiful than they, for these were living stones—such in which I saw, not the intent alone, but the intender too; not the idea alone, but the imbodier present, the operant outsender: nothing in this kingdom was dead; nothing was mere; nothing only a thing.”
The stones of the city were living prototypes of earthly gems, revealing not just the design but the designer himself; everything in this realm is alive and meaningful.
Emphasizes the animistic and divine nature of the heavenly city.